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About TechWhirl

TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.

For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.

Some say these updates are dropped on the owners doorsteps by the same
fairies that run the email archiving system, and that the date on their
computer is actually a sundial. All we know, it’s called the TechWhirler
Update.

> *De*ci*sion*: A conclusion or resolution reached after consideration; or
the action or process of deciding something or of resolving a question.

The high level decision making process can be summed up as think; then act.
Yes, there are certain times when quick decisions require almost split
second actions like when a truck comes into your lane on the Interstate and
you quickly swerve to avoid it. However, most of us can agree that if an
accident was avoided the positive outcome was mostly luck and quick reflexes
rather than a good decision making process. And, yes also true that *think;
then act* can be complimented by fleshing the structure more with collecting
information, analyzing the info, developing options and testing those
options. And still, while your approach may be more thorough it doesn’t
guarantee a good outcome, but it certainly reduces the chances of a
ridiculously bad outcome.

>From put your tongue on the flag pole double-dog dares, to the blow-hard
executive who wants to make a mark by changing “everything” on the second
day of work – bad decisions because *think; then act* isn’t followed are
everywhere. They’re here @ TechWhirl as Al tries to jump into some redesign
work without doing the full requirements and due diligence. And they’re
probably stamped on a lot of our careers.

At this point, we may have touched a nerve – how goes that decision making
process in your career? Is it a shining example of good or bad
decision-making – or – is it somewhere in between? We started this week
with the SWU’s own Mike McCallister’s piece *Book Authoring 101 (
goo.gl/ZMTpW), *polled on What is the Biggest Mistake You’ve made during a
job search (taking the wrong job and geez I don’t want to say are neck and
neck) and finished strong with our classic piece *So You Want to Get Paid on
Time? *by Alice E. Fugate (goo.gl/yK7QO).

The Special Writers Unit is working hard to put together great articles to
finish Career Decisions & Transitions month strong. Because, hey, we want
your readership to be one of the best decisions you make each week. We’re
going to end this little piece quicker than normal because we’re running
late for put a penny in a light socket competition happening downtown.

*Some of that Social Media Stuff*:

Are you are Facebook Friend? Would you like to be – no charge – guaranteed
to make all people on the list above average | http://goo.gl/tDrW7

Want all this TechWhirl goodness 140 characters @ a time |http://goo.gl/itjDg
What You’re Talking About

Quick shout outs to our Tech Writers and their discussions:

- Craig Cardimon lit up the list when he posted a link to Andrea
Altenburg’s blog post on “Tips on How to talk to SME’s”, a perennial
favorite topics where advice ranges from team-building and relationship
management to the best methods to bribe or coax your SME into spilling
everything worth spilling.
- Monique Semp is gathering opinions on whether the term “aka” is
commonly understood. No consensus yet, but we are debating whether
it’s even appropriate for the circumstance she describes.

- New: ‘Top 10 Ways to a Terrible Workplace” by Cheryl Voloshin
- Classic: “Get More Interviews with a T-Letter” by Tom Murrell
- Poll question: Most important quality in a manager

SPONSOR-Luv

We want to send a very special “thank you” to sponsors. Without them, we’d
only have a light socket …

*Platinum*: Adobe, ComponentOne, Madcap

*Gold*: EC Software, Society for Technical Communication (STC)

*Silver*: Vancouver Island University

> Competition went well, we came in second but we now feel all tingly
inside
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